Best route over the pyranese?

[onlineamiga]

Hi,

I'll be cycling up from Pamplona to head up the west coast of France.. I was wondering if anyone had any idea of the best route over the pyranese on this? Looking on the maps, and google streetview, there seems tobe a number of tunnels but maybe no cyclsts allowed.
What im ideally looking for is the easiest route to cross. To avoid unnecessary and difficult climbs when i don't have to.

Any advice about the area is greatly appreciated!

Thanks very much!

 

[frank9755]

That's a tough one - most people go cycling in the Pyrenees to do the challenging climbs, so you are attaching a different meaning to 'best' from other cyclists! I don't know what the answer is but you are probably best sticking close to the coast and using the main roads.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

The classic crossing, but not classic in the cycling sense is that of the pilgrims route to Santiago in reverse. Pamplona - Roncesvalles - St Jean Pied de Porte. I've done it the other way from France to Spain. It's ok. Go via Valcarlos. The Route Napoleon is higher and best left to walkers unless you like pushing a bike. brief description and some mapping here

If you want easy, try Hendaye - Irun - St Jean de Luz via the D roads and/or the corniche which is pretty cycle friendly (though I've only driven it in its entirety having ridden bits of it)

 

[rich p]

Where are you coming from?

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Where are you coming from?

OP says Pamplona

 

[rich p]

OP says Pamplona

Oh yes! Whoops

 

[hubbike]

Can I hijack this thread?!

I will be cycling home to the UK from Barcelona leaving about the 26th November and hopefully getting home for Christmas. I'd like to take on a good sized pass over the pyranese but will they be open in the winter? Which would people recommend for a challenge and good views?

Also, if anyone fancies joining me you would be very welcome. especially if you speak french!!

 

[Yellow7]

Hi Peter.
In 2007 I cycled from Milton Keynes to Barcelona (then ferry to mates at Majorca, the Pyrenese section shown:

After Toulouse head for pammiers via the D624, then Ax-les-Thermes on the N20 (E09), the pass is at 1915m with the village of porte Puymorens just after, a real ace climb with excellent sceneary, if the pass is snowed in there's a tunnnel but you'll have to cadge a lift of someone
as NO cycling allowed due to it's 3 mile length through the mountain. Now heading for Ur, then the border town of Bourge madame, into Spain.

That first pass is good, loads of switch-backs with apreciative climbs, but the second pass, after Bourge madame is a twisty, windy, mountain hugging route, so both are quite different but real fun. The peak here is ~1850m so easier than tother!!

Heading for Doria, Planoles then on the N152 to the larger town of Ripoll, then Vic (the dual carriage way roads after here start to get BUSY unless on a sunday (be warned), you could use back roads but there not exactly quick, & when you can smell the finsish line you'll be wanting to make progress i'm sure.

All the best, Mark. http://www.wallisonwheels.com

 

[Anthony]

Hi,

I'll be cycling up from Pamplona to head up the west coast of France.. I was wondering if anyone had any idea of the best route over the pyranese on this? Looking on the maps, and google streetview, there seems tobe a number of tunnels but maybe no cyclsts allowed.
What im ideally looking for is the easiest route to cross. To avoid unnecessary and difficult climbs when i don't have to.

Any advice about the area is greatly appreciated!

Thanks very much!

Hi,

When I did my trip to Gibraltar I crossed the Pyrenees starting at the French town of Hendaye and heading along the N-121a to Pampalona. That is the most direct and easy route through the Pyrenees I reckon. You could do it in reverse. You can avoid the tunnels by taking the old road which runs parallel to the new one - It's not that much extra climbing. It is quite a busy road though, but not too bad and there is enough of a shoulder most of the way to cycle in. Check out my crazyguyonabike journal - you will most likely follow alot of the same route I did.

 

[hubbike]

cheers yellow7 very helpful!

 

[onlineamiga]

Anthony, thanks ever so much for that. it is most helpful!
Your route over does sound pretty good. Actually I read your journal before and your route actually formed the template for my own planned route. I get a feeling ill be repeating a lot of the way you guys did.

Thanks again, it seems a bit unfair that the cars get to drive through the nice tunnels, where as cyclists are fored to climb over them!!!! I think i will take heed of just being naughty and whizz through as much as I can